How Does Former Gators WR Freddie Swain Fit With the Seattle Seahawks?

With a sixth-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft, Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks chose to select now-former Florida Gators wide receiver Freddie Swain.

Standing 6-0, 197 lbs. with a reach of 30 5/8” per his NFL combine results, Swain doesn’t possess the height and length NFL teams tend to long for at the position.

However, being used in a multitude of ways throughout his Gators career, Swain possesses desirable athleticism, lateral movement, and the speed needed to at least be a successful special teams ace in the NFL.

Clocking a 4.46 40 yard dash at the NFL combine, Swain put himself on the map amongst NFL executives and was even called “Fast Freddie” by Seahawks general manager John Schneider during their draft call.

Throughout his time with the Gators, Swain hauled in 68 receptions, 996 receiving yards, 14.6 yards per catch and 15 touchdowns. Quite a resume for a guy that saw insignificant usage until Dan Mullen took over as head coach following the 2017 season.

Given the recent history of Seahawks receivers, Swain fits the mold of slot extremely well and exemplifies similarities in size, athleticism, and versatility of guys like Doug Baldwin and Tyler Lockett—guys that Russell Wilson has had great success with since arriving on the scene in 2012.

For years, Seahawks receivers have been smaller framed athletes that excel with improvisation as well as creating yards after the catch. Swain has shown he can do both of those with a great deal of success, especially in gaining YAC.

For instance, in a matchup against Auburn last season, quarterback Kyle Trask dropped back in the pocket and threw a laser across the middle to Swain, who looked like he would inevitably be tackled after a significant gain.

However, Swain quickly turned upfield and proceeded to burn past the Tigers secondary on his way into the end zone for a 64-yard score.

With incredible open field instincts and breakaway speed, Swain put his abilities on display first hand with a play that now opens his collegiate highlight tape.

However, Swain also has an undeniable toughness that allows him to feel comfortable working across the middle of the field.

Coming out of the slot, receivers often work their way in between the hashes and expose themselves to big hits. Swain has taken his fair share of licks across the middle.

However, Swain has shown off quick feet and the aforementioned lateral movement that leads to the opposition having a small window to flick up on the hit stick.

Possibly the largest testament of his toughness was that of playing the 2016 season with a partially torn labrum that progressively got worse as the season went on.

Working hard on and off the field to ensure he became fully healthy and was prepared to come back, he took to becoming a true student of the game. Watching film and breaking down the nuances of being a wide receiver, Swain's mentality shift began to translate directly onto the field.

Bouncing back in a big way following his freshman season, Swain grew through adversity, and as a result, he has landed in an ideal situation with an opportunity to prove himself yet again.

While Swain has the potential to be a threat in all three levels—given the Seahawks offensive scheme and Wilson’s tendencies—there’s a likelihood Swain would be most efficient in the intermediate and deep passing games.

With Wilson often neglecting the check down pass and opting to look downfield—whether that be right, left, or middle Swain—brings yet another deep threat presence to the Seattle locker room.

As a result, that leads to the possibility of the Seahawks offense being able to spread out the opposing defense more than ever, a feat Swain could assist in if he’s given the opportunity.

Since the retirement of Baldwin, Tyler Lockett has taken on a heavier workload in the slot and done so very smoothly.

However, Lockett began his career in Seattle as an outside receiver, and despite the success, he has recently seen coming out of the slot, it wouldn’t be unfamiliar territory for Lockett to scoot back outside—opposite of D.K. Metcalf—in packages that would consist of Swain on the field.

If Swain progresses in a way that impresses the Seattle coaching staff, don’t think they will hesitate to allow all three to be on the field at once.

To get to that point, Swain needs heavy work in the route running department. Much too often relying on his speed alone to create separation in man coverage, Swain presents a concern for a coach when lining up against more talented coverage men.

Therefore, it is necessary he becomes more polished in and out of cuts and rids of the predictability of his movements in that part of his game.

While he is unlikely to see a lot of time in the Seahawks receiving rotation in 2020, Swain has a legitimate shot to work his way into the lineup with adequate performance elsewhere for a few years.

As a projected career backup and special teams player, Swain is fighting for a roster spot against the likes of John Ursa and David Moore.

The deciding factor for Swain to make the 53-man squad? His punt return ability.

Accounting for 308 yards on 39 punt returns and a touchdown in four years, he has shown that he’s a threat back deep and presents a low-risk high-reward.

While his role with the team will be up in the air until the end of preseason, Swain could be a diamond in the rough for a team that has found success drafting in later rounds for many years.